Publication Type
Journal Article
Publication Date (Issue Year)
2023
Journal Name
PeerJ
Abstract
Maize (Zea mays L.) is a staple food for many households in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and also contributes to the gross domestic product (GDP). However, the maize yields reported in most SSA countries are very low and this is mainly attributed to biotic and abiotic stresses. These stresses have been exacerbated by climate change which has led to long periods of drought or heavy flooding and the emergence of new biotic stresses. Few reports exist which compile the biotic stresses affecting maize production in SSA. Here, five major biotic stresses of maize in Kenya are presented which are attributed to high yield losses. They include Maize lethal necrosis, fall armyworm, gray leaf spot, turcicum leaf blight and desert locusts. Maize lethal necrosis and fall armyworm are new biotic stresses to the Kenyan maize farmer while gray leaf spot, and turcicum leaf blight are endemic to the region. The invasion by the desert locusts is speculated to be caused by climate change. The biotic stresses cause a reduction in maize yield of 30–100% threatening food security. Therefore, this review focuses on the cause, control measures employed to control these diseases and future prospective. There should be deliberate efforts from the government and researchers to control biotic stresses affecting maize yields as the effect of these stresses is being exacerbated by the changing climate
Keywords
Food security, Maize, Maize lethal necrosis, Fall armyworm, Gray leaf spot, Desert locusts, Turcicum leaf blight
Rsif Scholar Name
Faith Njeri Njeru
Thematic Area
Food security and Agribusiness
Africa Host University (AHU)
Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Tanzania
Funding Statement
This study was funded by the Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET) through the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) awarded to Faith Njeru to carry out doctoral studies at SACIDS Africa Centre of Excellence for Infectious Diseases, SACIDS Foundation for One Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania. The L’Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science Sub Saharan Africa program provided support for the APC. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
Recommended Citation
Njeru, F. N., Wambua, A., Muge, E., Haesaert, G., Gettemans, J., & Misinzo, G. (2023). Major biotic stresses affecting maize production in Kenya and their implications for food security. PeerJ, 11, e15685. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15685